Free-running performance of [formula omitted] mixed crystal laser operating around 1084 nm.

Highly efficient high-power laser operation around 1084 nm is demonstrated of the Yb 0 . 14 : Y 0 . 77 Gd 0 . 09 Ca 4 O ( BO 3 ) 3 mixed crystal in a compact plano-concave resonator, producing an output power of 18.1 W in free-running mode, with optical-to-optical and slope efficiencies being, respectively, 60% and 70% with respect to incident pump power. In laser action achieved with the high-gain short-wavelength oscillation being suppressed, the highest output power reaches 16.2 W with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 50.3%, while the slope efficiency amounts to 58%. The results presented reveal the superiority of the Yb-ion doped mixed oxyborate crystal to the existing Yb-ion or Nd-ion crystals capable of generating high-power laser radiation around 1084 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]